The conclave to elect the successor of the late Pope Francis has officially commenced on May 7, 2025, with a special Mass held at St. Peter's Basilica. This Mass, known as 'Pro Eligendo Pontifice', was attended by the 133 cardinal electors who will gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin the voting process.
The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re, who emphasized the need for a pope who can address the current challenges faced by both the Church and humanity. In his homily, he stated, "Let us pray that the Holy Spirit grants us the pope that the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex moment in history." Following the Mass, the cardinals were scheduled to enter a period of seclusion in the Sistine Chapel, where they will deliberate and vote.
As the cardinals prepare to cast their votes, they will have at their disposal copies of the Vatican Constitution and other regulations governing the conclave. The Sistine Chapel has been meticulously arranged for the occasion, with cardinals seated in two rows along the sides and three shorter rows at the end opposite Michelangelo's famous fresco, The Last Judgment.
According to reports from the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça is considered a potential favorite to succeed Pope Francis. At 59 years old, he is the youngest of the papable candidates. He has a strong academic background, holding degrees in theology and biblical sciences, and has served in various capacities within the Church, including as a poet and professor.
Historically, only one conclave has resulted in 'fumata blanca'—the white smoke indicating the election of a new pope—on the first day, which occurred during the election of Pope Pius XII on October 9, 1958. Recent conclaves in 2005 and 2013 saw elections take place the day after the conclave began, and this year, the cardinals are expected to hold two voting sessions each morning and afternoon.
If an agreement is not reached within three days, the voting will be suspended for a day to allow for prayer and discussion among the cardinals. After seven unsuccessful votes, another pause for reflection will occur before resuming the voting process.
Before entering the conclave, the cardinals shared a meal, marking the first opportunity for them to discuss potential candidates in a more informal setting. Cardinal Re has called for the election of a pope who can awaken the moral and spiritual forces within society, reflecting the need for a leader capable of guiding the Church through contemporary challenges.
The cardinals participating in this conclave come from diverse backgrounds, with an average age of 72. The youngest elector is Cardinal Mikola Bychok from Ukraine, aged 45, while the oldest is Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra from Spain, who turns 80 later this month. The representation in the conclave is notably global, with cardinals from 71 countries, including a significant number from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Among the candidates speculated to be in contention are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State; Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna; and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, who is seen as a prominent figure in the Church's outreach to the youth. Tagle's candidacy is particularly notable as he would be the first Asian pope if elected.
As the conclave unfolds, the anticipation grows regarding the potential candidates. Cardinal Re has urged the faithful to pray for the cardinals as they undertake this significant responsibility, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Church. He remarked, "The world today expects much from the Church for the protection of fundamental human and spiritual values, without which human coexistence cannot improve."
The first smoke signal, indicating the outcome of the initial vote, is expected to appear around 6:00 to 7:00 PM local time. If the smoke is white, it will signify the election of a new pope; black smoke will indicate that no decision has been reached, and the conclave will continue.
With the eyes of the world on the Vatican, this conclave holds the potential to shape the future of the Catholic Church, as the cardinals deliberate and vote in the sacred space of the Sistine Chapel, under the watchful gaze of the divine.
